How to register a .co.ke domain in Kenya (and what it really costs)
Choose the right .ke extension, register through an accredited provider, verify ownership and connect DNS without surrendering control.
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Registering a .co.ke is not the same as buying a website. The registry operates the .ke namespace, an accredited registrar sells and manages the registration, and your hosting provider serves the website. One company may perform several roles, but you should know which account controls each one.
Choose the extension by eligibility and audience
- Extension
- .co.ke
- Typical use
- Commercial, professional and general Kenyan presence
- Before you choose it
- Confirm the registrar's current eligibility and naming rules
- Extension
- .ke
- Typical use
- Short second-level Kenyan address
- Before you choose it
- Usually costs more and desirable names may be unavailable
- Extension
- .or.ke
- Typical use
- Organisations and associations
- Before you choose it
- Check whether documentation or category rules apply
- Extension
- .ac.ke / .sc.ke
- Typical use
- Eligible academic institutions and schools
- Before you choose it
- Expect eligibility verification
- Extension
- .go.ke
- Typical use
- Eligible government entities
- Before you choose it
- Restricted; follow the official process
- Extension
- .me.ke
- Typical use
- Personal identity or portfolio
- Before you choose it
- Check whether it matches the site's long-term purpose
| Extension | Typical use | Before you choose it |
|---|---|---|
| .co.ke | Commercial, professional and general Kenyan presence | Confirm the registrar's current eligibility and naming rules |
| .ke | Short second-level Kenyan address | Usually costs more and desirable names may be unavailable |
| .or.ke | Organisations and associations | Check whether documentation or category rules apply |
| .ac.ke / .sc.ke | Eligible academic institutions and schools | Expect eligibility verification |
| .go.ke | Eligible government entities | Restricted; follow the official process |
| .me.ke | Personal identity or portfolio | Check whether it matches the site's long-term purpose |
For a Kenyan commercial or professional site, .co.ke is the common starting point. Do not infer eligibility for a restricted extension from a reseller's search box; confirm current registry and registrar requirements before building a brand around it.
Before checkout: protect the name and the account
- 1Search the exact name and sensible spelling variants.
- 2Check company-name, trade-mark and social-handle conflicts; domain availability is not legal clearance.
- 3Compare registration, renewal, transfer, restoration, tax and bundled-service terms.
- 4Choose an organisation-controlled email that will remain accessible if an employee or agency leaves.
- 5Decide who may administer DNS and billing, then document approval and recovery procedures.
Register and verify it step by step
- 1Open the accredited registrar's official site directly and search the name.
- 2Review the order for term length, renewal, tax and unwanted hosting, email or certificate add-ons.
- 3Enter accurate registrant and administrative data belonging to the intended owner.
- 4Pay through the registrar's supported channel and retain the order, receipt and confirmation messages.
- 5Sign in independently, confirm the domain appears in your account and verify the registrant and recovery email.
- 6Enable strong authentication, renewal reminders and auto-renew only with a payment method you monitor.
- 7Set nameservers or DNS records from your host, then verify the website, email and both www and non-www addresses.
Choose the registrar by operations, not checkout price
KeNIC operates the .KE registry; accredited registrars sell domains to end users. Use the official list, then compare each seller's price, payment, DNS and support terms.
Why we like it
- Official .KE registry source
- Accredited seller route
- Covers Kenya-specific extensions
Watch-outs
- KeNIC is not the retail seller
- Price and support vary by registrar
- Renewal and restore fees require separate checks
DNS, hosting and email: what changes after registration
Nameservers delegate DNS management. DNS records then point the domain to the website, email provider and verification services. Changing nameservers without copying the existing records can break email even when the website works. Save a DNS export or screenshots before any move and lower TTLs in advance when you control the timing.
If you later transfer the domain
- 1Confirm the registrant email works and record current expiry and DNS settings.
- 2Ask both registrars for their current .ke transfer procedure, fees and any registry restrictions.
- 3Obtain the required authorisation and approve requests only after checking the destination registrar.
- 4Keep nameservers unchanged during the registrar move unless a DNS migration is deliberately planned.
- 5After completion, verify registration term, contact data, DNS, renewal and account security.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Kenyan ID or business registration?
Requirements depend on the extension and current registry policy. .co.ke is broadly used for commercial and general registrations, while categories such as government and academic domains have eligibility requirements. Confirm the current rule with an accredited registrar before paying.
Can I transfer my .co.ke to another registrar?
Yes, subject to the current .ke registry and registrar procedure. Confirm eligibility, required authorisation, fees and timing with both providers. Preserve the existing nameservers so a registrar transfer does not become an accidental DNS outage.
What if my domain expires?
The domain and services that depend on it can stop working, and recovery may become more expensive or eventually impossible. The exact lifecycle and fees depend on registry and registrar rules. Use multiple reminders and current contact details rather than relying on a grace period.
If you only take one thing from this guide
KeNIC-accredited registrars is our current top pick for domains — official route to compare .ke registrars.
KeNIC-accredited registrars
KenyanOfficial route to compare .ke registrars
Read full review Registry role correctedKeNIC operates the .KE registry; accredited registrars sell domains to end users. Use the official list, then compare each seller's price, payment, DNS and support terms.
Why we like it
- Official .KE registry source
- Accredited seller route
- Covers Kenya-specific extensions
Watch-outs
- KeNIC is not the retail seller
- Price and support vary by registrar
- Renewal and restore fees require separate checks